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    Burkina Faso Currency Guide: Explore with the West African franc

    Resources for Expats, Travelers, and Entrepreneurs Navigating Life and Trade in Burkina Faso with the West African franc

    Burkina Faso

    What currency is used in Burkina Faso?

    The official currency of Burkina Faso (country code: BF) is the West African franc, with symbol and currency code XOF.

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    What currency should I use in Burkina Faso?

    The domestic currency in Burkina Faso is the West African franc.

    What is the West African franc currency code and symbol?

    The three letter currency code for the West African franc is XOF.

    What doe the West African franc look like?

    Here is an example West African franc banknote:

    Which countries use the West African franc?

    It is the domestic currency in    Senegal,   Benin,   Burkina Faso,   Ivory Coast,   Guinea-Bissau,   Mali,   Niger and Togo.

    Is the West African franc a closed currency?

    No, the West African franc is freely available and convertible. See guide: What is a closed currency?

    What are equivalent amounts of USD and XOF?

    Here are some popular conversion amounts for USD to XOF (US dollar to West African franc)*.

    USD XOF
    $ 1 624.93
    $ 5 3,125
    $ 10 6,249
    $ 20 12,499
    $ 50 31,247
    $ 100 62,493
    $ 250 156,233
    $ 500 312,465
    $ 1,000 624,930
    $ 2,000 1,249,860
    $ 5,000 3,124,650
    $ 10,000 6,249,300
    $ 20,000 12,498,600
    $ 50,000 31,246,500
    $ 100,000 62,493,000
    USD XOF
    $ 0.0016 1
    $ 0.0080 5
    $ 0.0160 10
    $ 0.0320 20
    $ 0.0800 50
    $ 0.1600 100
    $ 0.4000 250
    $ 0.8000 500
    $ 1.6000 1,000
    $ 3.2000 2,000
    $ 8.0000 5,000
    $ 16.00 10,000
    $ 32.00 20,000
    $ 80.00 50,000
    $ 160.00 100,000

    More amounts

    *Converted at the current USDXOF interbank exchange rate. Calculate actual payout amounts for Send Money and Travel Money exchange rates.

     

    Things to know about the West African franc

    The West Africa CFA franc (XAF) is the currency of six independent states in Western Africa - Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo.

    In several central African states the Central African CFA franc (currency code XAF) is in circulation, such as XAF-west-african-franc>Cameroon - Central African CFA franc. The Central African CFA franc is of equal value to the West African franc. Both XAF and XOF currencies are referred to as the CFA franc.

    Burkina Faso

    Travel money for Burkina Faso

    Using Wise for West African franc travel money is a smart choice for savvy travelers. With its competitive exchange rates and low fees, Wise allows you to convert and manage multiple currencies effortlessly.

    Be careful when using your own bank's Debit/Credit Card, as your bank may also charge an extra 3% as an “Overseas Transaction Charge” plus “Overseas ATM” fees for withdrawing cash on top of the standard Visa/Mastercard 2.5% from market mid-rate.

    For card purchases, if you are offered a choice of currencies always select to Pay in West African franc otherwise you will typically get much worst dynamic currency conversion (DCC) exchange rates.

    If you really want West African franc cash before departure, you can save money by ordering online. You generally get better rates and can pick up the XOF cash locally or even on travel day at the airport.

     
     
    Burkina Faso

    Burkina Faso: Travel Guide

    Burkina Faso is a landlocked country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Mali to the north, Niger to the east, Benin to the southeast, Togo and Ghana to the south, and Côte d'Ivoire to the southwest. Burkina Faso has a population of around 20 million people and the official language is French. The currency is the West African CFA franc.

    Burkina Faso is a predominantly agricultural country, with farming, livestock, and fishing being the main economic activities. The country is also rich in natural resources, including gold, limestone, and other minerals. However, Burkina Faso is one of the poorest countries in the world and faces a number of challenges, including poverty, food insecurity, and political instability.

    Despite these challenges, Burkina Faso has made progress in recent years in areas such as healthcare and education. The country has also made efforts to promote economic development and reduce poverty, including through the development of infrastructure and the promotion of foreign investment. Burkina Faso is a member of the West African Economic and Monetary Union and the African Union.

     

    USD/XOF Market Data

    The below interactive chart displays the USD/XOF change and UP📈 DOWN📉 trends over the past 1 Year.

     
    1 USD =
    624.93We compare provider deals to this wholesale mid-market rate. Read more
    XOF
    Tracker

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    Send Money to Burkina Faso - Best Rates

    To get a good (and fair) exchange rate when sending money to Burkina Faso you need to find and compare exchange rates for International Money Transfers (IMTs).

    The available FX rates for sending money abroad can be very different to the mid-market (wholesale) rate which you see reported online and in the News.

    You should especially compare your own bank's exchange rates to those available from Money Transfer specialists to see how much you can save - we make that calculation easy in the below table.


    Get a better deal for foreign transfers to Burkina Faso

    When sending money to Burkina Faso it’s important to compare your bank’s rates & fees with those we have negotiated with our partner money transfer providers. To get a better deal you should follow these 4 simple steps :

    1. Open an account with a BER reviewed FX provider (id docs may be required)
    2. You specify the local or West African franc amount you want to transfer
    3. Make a local currency domestic transfer for the requested amount to the provider's bank account in your country
    4. Once your funds are received by the provider the converted XOF amount will be transfered to the recipient account you specify in Burkina Faso.

    Use the above calculator to compare the exchange rates of FX specialist providers rates versus your bank's standard rates you can hopefully save around 5% and maybe more - end result is more West African franc deposited into the recipient bank account and less margins and fees kept by the banks!

     
    Burkina Faso

    Managing money while living and working in Burkina Faso

    Managing your money effectively while living and working abroad can be challenging, but there are several steps you can take to ensure that your finances are in order.

    1. Understand West African franc currency exchange rates: Exchange rates can have a big impact on your finances, so it is important to keep an eye on the XOF exchange rate and consider using a money transfer specialist or a credit card that does not charge foreign transaction fees to get the best exchange rate.

    2. Use a local West African franc bank account: A local XOF bank account can make it easier for you to manage your finances and pay bills while you are in Burkina Faso. It may also be more convenient to use a local XOF bank account to make purchases and withdraw cash.

    3. Research local laws and regulations: It is important to understand the local laws and regulations that apply to financial transactions in Burkina Faso. This can help you avoid legal issues and ensure that you are complying with local requirements.

    4. Consider the tax implications: It is important to understand the tax implications of living or doing business in Burkina Faso. This can help you plan your finances and ensure that you are paying the correct amount of tax.

    5. Seek financial advice: If you are unsure of how to manage your finances in Burkina Faso, it is a good idea to seek the advice of a financial professional who is familiar with the local financial system. This can help you make informed decisions and avoid financial pitfalls.

    We have put together some key points to help managing your money effectively, you can reduce financial stress and enjoy your experience living or doing business in Burkina Faso.

    Burkina Faso
    How is the economy in Burkina Faso?

    The economy of Burkina Faso is primarily based on agriculture, with farming, livestock, and fishing being the main economic activities. The country is also rich in natural resources, including gold, limestone, and other minerals. Burkina Faso is one of the poorest countries in the world, with a GDP per capita of around $780 in 2020.

    Despite being one of the poorest countries in the world, Burkina Faso has made progress in recent years in reducing poverty and promoting economic growth. The country's economy has grown at an average rate of around 5% per year in recent years, driven by growth in the agricultural and mining sectors.

    However, Burkina Faso still faces a number of challenges, including food insecurity, infrastructure constraints, and political instability. The country is also vulnerable to external shocks, such as fluctuations in commodity prices and changes in the global economic environment.

    The government of Burkina Faso has made efforts to promote economic development and reduce poverty, including through the development of infrastructure and the promotion of foreign investment. Burkina Faso is a member of the West African Economic and Monetary Union and the African Union, and has made efforts to improve its business climate and attract foreign investment.

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